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Appeal
Central Africa Republic
Assistance to support & protect war affected vulnerable communities in the Central African Republic – CAF131
Appeal Target: US${esc.dollar} 3,342,191
Balance Requested:US${esc.dollar} 3,092,191
Geneva, 20 August 2013
The Central African Republic (CAR) is currently experiencing a period of prolonged political instability and lawlessness. In March 2013, the Séléka rebel group overthrew the government in violent clashes with the CAR military and foreign troops. Despite an on-going peace process and the creation of a transitional government, the security situation remains highly unstable.
This continued violence has lead to a general breakdown of law and order, and thousands of persons displaced internally or fleeing into neighboring countries. Gross violations of human rights have been observed and the local population lives in a climate of fear and repression. Displacement has also lead to fields not being cultivated and OCHA last week declared that a serious famine situation was developing. Basic social services as schooling and medical care are almost nonexistent and people are having serious trouble in making ends meet. Many experienced gender based violence and rape and children have been recruited as child soldiers by militias.
There are 206,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) inside the country and about 58,000 more who have fled to neighbouring countries. The humanitarian community is trying to meet the needs of 1.6 million people – about 35 per cent of the population. During first half of 2013, the humanitarian community in the CAR had targeted 484.000 people for food assistance and was able to reach 45 percent of them. Approximately 8.000 cases of acute severe malnutrition received treatment and 123.000 children of an initial target of 680.000 received vaccination against measles.
The food security situation for IDPs is critical. The crisis will in all likelihood ruin the current agricultural season, and families have already lost their food reserves, their tools, seeds, livestock and revenues as a result of looting and the prolonged crisis.
The most vulnerable people eat only once a day and meals have become less diverse. There is a high risk of a nutritional crisis during the lean season (July to September) unless urgent assistance is provided.
We have identified the priority needs as health care, food security, education, protection and sanitation.
This Full Appeal replaces the Preliminary Appeal issued on 15 July 2013.
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